Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 1 de 1
Filter
Add more filters










Database
Language
Publication year range
1.
Dis Model Mech ; 3(5-6): 366-76, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20083577

ABSTRACT

Neuroligins are postsynaptic cell adhesion proteins that bind specifically to presynaptic membrane proteins called neurexins. Mutations in human neuroligin genes are associated with autism spectrum disorders in some families. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has a single neuroligin gene (nlg-1), and approximately a sixth of C. elegans neurons, including some sensory neurons, interneurons and a subset of cholinergic motor neurons, express a neuroligin transcriptional reporter. Neuroligin-deficient mutants of C. elegans are viable, and they do not appear deficient in any major motor functions. However, neuroligin mutants are defective in a subset of sensory behaviors and sensory processing, and are hypersensitive to oxidative stress and mercury compounds; the behavioral deficits are strikingly similar to traits frequently associated with autism spectrum disorders. Our results suggest a possible link between genetic defects in synapse formation or function, and sensitivity to environmental factors in the development of autism spectrum disorders.


Subject(s)
Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects , Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolism , Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal/deficiency , Mercury/toxicity , Mutation/genetics , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Sensation/drug effects , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Biomarkers/metabolism , Caenorhabditis elegans/cytology , Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal/chemistry , Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal/genetics , Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal/metabolism , Cues , Genes, Reporter , Humans , Muscle Cells/cytology , Muscle Cells/drug effects , Muscle Cells/metabolism , Neurons/cytology , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/metabolism , Protein Transport/drug effects , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/metabolism , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Synapses/drug effects , Synapses/metabolism , Temperature
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...